Holder for brooms and similar implements



Nov. 3, 1959 w. G. CLAYTON ETTAL 2,911,172

HOLDER FOR BROOMS AND SIMILAR IMPLEMENTS Filed Nov. 14, 1955 INVENTORS WILLIAM G. CLAYTON JOHN A. FINLEY Unite 2 another modification of the device.

HOLDER FOR BROOMS AND SIMILAR IMPLEMENTS The present invention relates generally to holding devices and more particularly to a device for holding brooms, rakes and other long handled implements in a substantially vertical position on a wall.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a Y holder having a unique handle-engaging element which is usuable with vmany types of handles and with handles having a considerable variation in dimension, and this element is further unique in its functional and structural relationship with the bracket portion-of the device, to the end that the handle is easily inserted and removed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder in which the handle-engaging element is biased toward a position allowing engagement ordisengagement of the handled implement without previous or simultaneous manual positioning of said element, and this is reflected in making the device conveniently operable by one hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder having satisfactory means therein to prevent excess upward motion of the handle engaging portion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder which is adapted .for fabrication from many difierent materials, so that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of availability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily determined to suit particular conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holder" which is practicable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Finally, it is an object to provide a holder of the aforementioned character which is simple, safe and convenient to use and which will give generally efficient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawing which forms a material part of this disclosure,

and in whichr Figure l is a perspective view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the device.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of still Similar characters of reference indicate. similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specifica tion and throughout the views of the drawing.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the device is represented as comprising a mounting plate and an engaging loop 12 mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis.

The mounting plate 10 is preferably made out of metal having substantial resiliency, and this plate may be attached to a wall by means of screws 14. The plate 10 may be generally rectangular in shape, the upper corners ent 2,91l,l72 Patented Nov. 3, 1959 ice The engaging loop 12 is made from wire or the like.

and is so formed as to present a single complete helical convolution or coil 22 having a portion extended tangentially rearwardly therefrom to constitute a connecting arm or bar '24. The bar 24 is bent at 26 to form a pivot shaft 2%, the axis of which is normal to the axis of the bar 24 and parallel to the general plane of the coil 22. The shaft 28 is journaled in the journal box 13, extending therethrough, and has a bend at 30 and a depending leg 32. a

It will be evident'that the coil 22, connecting bar 24, pivot shaft 28 and depending leg 32 are formed from a single length of wire, so shaped as to position the depending leg 32 in a downwardly and slightly forward direction from the shaft 28 While the coil is in a substantially horizontal position. In other words, the leg 32 extends at an angle slightly less than 90 degrees with respect to the general plane of the loop element 12.

The plate 10 is horizontally slit at 34 in the lower position of the plate, said slit extending across slightly more than one half the width of the plate. The portion of the plate 10 below the slit 34 is bent at 36 to extend slightly outwardly, constituting a leaf spring 38 and contacting the leg 32, thereby maintaining the coil 22 in substantially horizontal position. The leaf spring "38 is also extended beyond the edge 40 of the mounting plate ill a suflicient distance to contact the leg 32.

A vertical slot 42 is provided centrally of the journal box 18 for the purpose of providing clearance for a protrusion 44 formed on the shaft 28. This protrusion 44 may be obtained simply by deforming the shaft 28 in a press or with a hammer and punch, the principal requirement being that j the v protrusion 44 extend rearwardly a suficient distance and at a slight upward angle from the shaft 28 to contact a tongue 46 when the coil 22 is in a substantially horizontal position thus eifectively preventing further upward motion of the coil 22.

The tongue 46 is shaped simply by retaining a portion of the material of the journal box parted by the cuts forming the slot '42, the said portion being returned to the general plane of the plate It), and extending downwardly rearwardly of the shaft 28. The tongue 46 need only be of a length to contact the protrusion 44.

A tube 48 of frictional material such as rubber or the like is carried on the coil 22 and provides high frictional engagement between the holder and the handle of the implement inserted therein.

It will be obvious that the handle of a broom or the like may be inserted upwardly through the coil 22 without the necessity of lifting the coil 22 into position, since the action of the leaf spring 38 biases the coil 22 into a more or less horizontal position. With the said handle inserted in the coil 22, a slight tilting of the handle is necessary to bring about contact with the tube 48. As the handle is then lowered the coil 22 pivots downward about the shaft 28 thus gripping the handle and firmly maintaining the implement in suspended position. Only a slight upward motion of the implement is required for disengagement, since the coil 22 is biased upwardly by the leaf spring 38, allowing the handle of the implement to be easily removed therefrom.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a modified form of the invention. 7 A screw having an elongated, cylindrical head 58 is used as a stop to arrest the upward motion of the coil 22. in this modification, the slot 42, protrusion 44, and the tongue '46 may be deleted.

3 The coil 22, biased upwardly due to the action of the leaf spring 3 8 on the leg 32, abuts the head 50, at or slightly above the horizontal position of the coil.

Figure shows another modification of my invention, wherein the depending leg 52 is curved slightly to contact the modified attachment plate '54. The leg 52 is also bent at an acute angle to maintain the connecting bar 24 and the coil 22 at an angle only slightly below the horizontal. The journal box 56 in this form of the invention need not be slotted.

The operation of this invention Will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

We claim:

1. A broom handle holder comprising: a mounting plate having a horizontal journal box; and a loop element having a shaft portion journaled in said box; said shaft portion having a depending leg engaging said plate when the loop element is in one position; said leg extending at an angle slightly less than 90 degrees with respect to the general plane of said loop element; a portion of said plate constituting a spring to urge said leg to pivot outwardly from the plate, whereby the loop element is biased by said spring into substantially horizontal position for disengagement of the broom handle when the broom handle is first lifted.

2. A holder comprising: a mounting plate having a pair of axially aligned, spaced, horizontal journal boxes; said journal boxes being on the front face of said mounting plates; and a loop element having a shaft portion journaled in said box; said shaft portion having a depending leg engaging said plate when the loop element is in one position; said leg extending at an angle slightly less than 90 degrees with respect to the general plane of said loop element; a portion of said plate constituting a spring to urge said leg to pivot outwardly from the plate,

4 whereby the loop element is biased by said spring into substantially horizontal position for disengagement of the broom handle when the broom handle is first lifted and means limiting the upward pivotal movement of the loop element comprising a portion of said plate disposed immediately to the rear of the shaft and directly between said journal boxes, and a protrusion on said shaft disposed to engage said portion of the plate when the loop element is raised.

3. A holder to receive broom handles and the like comprising: a mounting plate having a horizontal journal box; a loop element having a shaft portion journaled in said box; and spring means to urge said loop toward a generally horizontal position, said spring means being of such strength as to be overcome by the weight of a broom or the like acting upon said loop, and strong enough to maintain said loop in substantially horizontal position When no weight is being supported by the loop, whereby the insertion of a broom handle or the like and the removal of the same from the holder is facilitated,

and wherein said means includes a depending leg on one end of said shaft engaging said plate when the loop is in one position and constituting positioning means for said loop, and a spring on said plate and contacting said depending leg and biasing said leg to pivot away from said plate to shift said loop element into a substantially horizontal attitude.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said spring is unitary with said plate.

5. A device according to claim 3, and including a plate-attaching screw having an axially elongated head extending outwardly from said plate above said journal box and constituting a stop to abut said loop element when said element is slightly above the horizontal plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 368,053 Berger Aug. 9, 1887 387,922 Schooley Aug. 14, 1888 1,199,848 Willoughby Oct. 3, 1916 1,398,127 Collins Nov. 22, 1921 1,494,777 Dodsworth May 20, 1924 1,933,919 McPherson Nov. 7, 1933 

